Ashwini Nakshatra
Lunar mansion 1 of 27 — ruled by Ketu
Ashwini is the 1st of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology, spanning 0° to 13.333° sidereal. It is ruled by Ketu, presided over by the deity Ashwini Kumaras, and its power symbol is the horse head.
Ashwini nakshatra characteristics
People born with the Moon in Ashwini tend to reflect the nature of its ruling planet, Ketu — detachment, intuition and a spiritual, inward pull. Its Deva gana gives a gentle, refined and benevolent ("divine" temperament) disposition, while its Rajasic guna colours how that energy expresses in daily life. The core life aim (purushartha) of Ashwini is Dharma — purpose, duty and right living.
| Ruling planet | Ketu |
|---|---|
| Deity | Ashwini Kumaras |
| Symbol | Horse Head |
| Gana (temperament) | Deva |
| Guna (nature) | Rajasic |
| Animal (yoni) | Male Horse |
| Life aim (purushartha) | Dharma |
| Direction | South |
| Degrees (sidereal) | 0° to 13.333° sidereal |
The four padas of Ashwini
Each nakshatra is divided into four quarters (padas) of 3°20′ each, mapping onto the Navamsa (D9) chart. In Ashwini, the padas carry these emphases:
- Pada 1 — Dharma emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Ashwini.
- Pada 2 — Artha emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Ashwini.
- Pada 3 — Kama emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Ashwini.
- Pada 4 — Moksha emphasis, a Ketu-ruled quarter of Ashwini.
Ashwini in your chart
Your birth (Janam) nakshatra is set by the Moon's exact sidereal position at birth, so knowing your Ashwini placement means knowing your Moon's degree. Navagraha computes this precisely with the Swiss Ephemeris and explains what Ashwini means for your temperament, relationships, career timing and Vimshottari dasha — because the nakshatra lord (Ketu) also opens your dasha sequence.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the ruling planet of Ashwini nakshatra?
Ashwini nakshatra is ruled by Ketu. This planet also begins the Vimshottari dasha sequence for anyone born under Ashwini.
Which deity rules Ashwini nakshatra?
The presiding deity of Ashwini is Ashwini Kumaras, and its power symbol is the horse head.
What are the degrees of Ashwini nakshatra?
Ashwini spans 0° to 13.333° sidereal, the 1st of the 27 nakshatras.
Is Ashwini a good nakshatra?
Every nakshatra has strengths and challenges — Ashwini carries a Deva gana and a life aim of Dharma. What matters most is how its lord Ketu is placed in your full birth chart, which Navagraha reads for you.
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